Hitman: Absolution changed after backlash

GamesCom 2012: Following a savage and upsetting community backlash to a recent trailer, Hitman developer IO Interactive has altered portions of the new Hitman: Absolution, the studio has confirmed.

Talk at GamesCom 2012 in Cologne, Germany, IO told Eurogamer that it had taken on board feedback following a trailer which featured PVC-clad nun-assassins. If you've still not seen the trailer, you can check it below.

Square Enix would not be drawn in to specifics about what had been altered, but said that it acknowledged more context and explanation needed to be given to the Saints - that is, the team of nuns.

“We learned from the trailer that we really needed to give these characters some context and some backstory," said Hitman: Absolution director Tore Blystad.

"We’re working within the game – within that level – to build these characters up before you meet them. That way you know what you’re getting and you aren’t put off by them.”

What's especially interesting though is how the trailer managed to reach release without IO realising the possible fallout.

“We were surprised by the reaction to it,” said Blystad. “We’ve been trying to find out, y’know, how could we not see this happening? If we knew it would get such a negative reaction we would have done it in a different way.